Using stress resiliency to guide the restoration of kelp beds in the Salish Sea
Presentation Abstract
Kelp beds are marine sanctuaries, providing some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet and serving as critical habitat and refuge for many integral species, including juvenile salmon. However, recent declines in kelp populations have been reported by several groups including fisherman and kelp harvesters in the Pacific Northwest. One concern is that these declines may be due to an increase in stressors such as rising ocean temperatures or acidification. Thus, if lost habitats are to be restored, populations that are resilient to these stressors are most likely to survive. We are identifying populations growing under the most stressful conditions by correlating satellite imagery with the relevant oceanographic data. Reproductive sori sampled from different populations will be tested for stress resilience in the lab. The responses of early developmental stages to temperature and pH stress will be evaluated in three ways: 1) the timing and percent of spores that form germ tubes will be determined 2) gametophyte growth will be measured 3) changes in the levels of molecular markers associated with viability and stress tolerance will be monitored in spores and during gametophyte/sporophyte development. The results from these assays should reveal which populations are the most stress-resilient, and hence more viable in the field. The latter will be tested by assessing growth and development at field sites, both in the short term (single growing season) and over multiple generations.
Session Title
Changes in Ecosystem Function and Climate Revealed by Long-term Monitoring in the Salish Sea
Conference Track
Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Kelp bed ecology--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Restoration ecology--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Using stress resiliency to guide the restoration of kelp beds in the Salish Sea
2016SSEC
Kelp beds are marine sanctuaries, providing some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet and serving as critical habitat and refuge for many integral species, including juvenile salmon. However, recent declines in kelp populations have been reported by several groups including fisherman and kelp harvesters in the Pacific Northwest. One concern is that these declines may be due to an increase in stressors such as rising ocean temperatures or acidification. Thus, if lost habitats are to be restored, populations that are resilient to these stressors are most likely to survive. We are identifying populations growing under the most stressful conditions by correlating satellite imagery with the relevant oceanographic data. Reproductive sori sampled from different populations will be tested for stress resilience in the lab. The responses of early developmental stages to temperature and pH stress will be evaluated in three ways: 1) the timing and percent of spores that form germ tubes will be determined 2) gametophyte growth will be measured 3) changes in the levels of molecular markers associated with viability and stress tolerance will be monitored in spores and during gametophyte/sporophyte development. The results from these assays should reveal which populations are the most stress-resilient, and hence more viable in the field. The latter will be tested by assessing growth and development at field sites, both in the short term (single growing season) and over multiple generations.
